Binder



N0v.21,1939. T DAMS i 2,180,892

BINDER Filed Aug. 2, 1957 2 sheets-sheet 1 IIILIIY nml" I milk IIIIIIIIlLnulI-llumy'.,MIHIII H. T. ADAMS Nov. 2l, 1939.

BINDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 2, 1957 Patented Nov. 2l, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

curely, but could not be removed because of the Xed character ofthe rings.

An object of the present inventionis to provide a structure in which a large number of rings can be employed without the use of joints or hinges, while at the same time permitting sheets to be removed or inserted. A further object is to provide a binder structure employing a large number of confining rings or prongs and in which the operating or moving mechanism is extremelyI simple. A further object is to provide a binder of skeleton or extremely simple construction, which is effective as a conning means and which may be later inserted within a more permanent binder for storage or ling purposes. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, in a preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawings, in Which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a binder embodying my invention, the binder being shown in closed position; Fig. 2, a similar plan view of the binder in open position; Fig. 3, a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicatedatline3ofFig. 1; Fig. 4, a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a broken sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 5 of Fig. l; Fig. 6, a broken sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 1; Fig. '7, a broken plan view of the permanent metal binder or clip; Fig. 8, a broken plan sectional View of the outer frame member only, the section being taken as indicated at line 8 of Fig. 3; Fig. 9, a broken plan sectional View of the inner rotatable member; and Fig. 10, a transverse sectional View, the section being taken as indicated at line I0 of Fig. 4.

In the illustration given, A designates a xed frame equipped at spaced intervals with xed ring prongs A; B designates an inner rotatable frame equipped at spaced intervals with rings or prongs secured in slidable relation to the prongs A; and C, a spring clip or permanent binder to which the frame member A may be conveniently attached for filing purposes, etc.

The frame member A may be of any suitable construction and of any desired material. In the illustration given, it consists of a longitudinal bottom frame Ill, to which, at spaced intervals, are iixed the prongs A. The prongs A are pressed inwardly along their length to form a reinforcing groove Il, this groove serving as a means for also locking the movable prongs B' in slidable relation to prongs A'. It will be observed that the iixed prongs A are separated near their top portion so as to provide an intervening gap or opening to permit the insertion or removal of perforated sheets.

The bottom Aframe member I0 isl preferably provided at its ends, andbetween the spaced prongs A', with outwardly curved ear'portions- Aio other means, so as to form a sturdy and compact loose-leaf book. Because the loose-leaf book is of well known construction, it is not illustrated herein. If the loose-leaf book should have a flat back binding, the frame member I0, with the portions I2, can be made flat, so as to lie squarely against thev rlat backing. It will be understood that the frame ID can be readily adapted to a loose-leaf back of any shape.

The inner member B may also be of any suitable construction or material. In the illustration given, it comprises a longitudinal frame or bridge member I3, equipped at spaced intervals with the prongs B and with inwardly flared'ears or curvedmembers I4 between the prongs. vThe inwardly curved portions I4 serve to brace`the metal frame and to form a strong support for the frame and prongs. As already stated, the prongs B are provided with grooves which receive the inwardly extending ribs of prongs A', the ribs being formed by the grooves Il.

Thus, the fixedA prongs A and the movable prongs B are not only with raised stepped end pieces l5 which are adapted to be engaged readily by the fingers or thumb, to facilitate the rotation of the inner member B.

The backing or clip member C may be of any suitable construction. In the illustration given, the clip member C comprises a spring body IB equipped with inwardly turned ends Il. As a means for facilitating the insertion of the frame member Il] within clip or binder C, I prefer to turn some of the portions i2 downwardly, while leaving other portions extending upwardly. As shown more clearly in Figs. 5 and 6, it will be observed that the diverging portions l2 serve to lock the member A securely about the flanges.

The downwardly turned portions l2 may, if desired, be alternated with the upwardly curved portions i2; or, if desired, the downwardly turned portions may be formed at any desired position along the frame l0.

In the operation of the device, the ends i5 are grasped to swing the inner prongs B to the open position shown in Figs. 2 and 4. In this position, the perforated sheets may be inserted on either of the fixed prongs A', or removed therefrom. After the sheets are in position, the end pieces I5 may be depressed in a circular movement to swing the prongs B to the closed position shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The devices A and B may be operated alone as a binder and need not be used in conjunction with a loose-leaf book or a clip such as is shown in C. For example, the members A and B may be used in the binding of catalogues, memoranda pads, checks, etc. When, for example, the members are used for oonning checks, it` may be later desired to nle away the checks in permanent clips, and the member A, containing the checks, etc., may be readily in- Vserted within clip C by engagement between the alternating ear portions i2 with the flanges Il.

When employed with a book having a backing, the ear portions I2 and frame Hl may be readily shaped to conform to the shape of the backing, and secured directly thereto by rivets or other suitable means.

.The binder is of extremely simple construction, comprising only two main parts, which may be adapted readily for use with the other parts illustrated. The rotary movement produces a definite locking mechanism which may be operated readily, yet tends to remain in locked position under stress, and does not require the use of springs, as inthe case of jointed rings. By this means, a large number of closely spaced rings can be formed cheaply and manipulated easily, by means of which perforated sheets can be held in secure position within the binder.

While in the foregoing description I have shown a single example of one means for embodying the invention, it will be understood that theA principle herein illustrated can be readily employed in a large variety of constructions, differing in form, but employing obvious forms of the invention and following the spirit of the invention. The means for closing the openings in the xed rings can take on a variety of forms, either inside or outside of the xed rings, and can be adapted to form a curvilinear path about the fixed rings.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

` I claim:

l. In combination, a clip member provided with inwardly turned flanges, a ring binder comprising a frame provided at spaced intervals with xed rings each having a gap therein, a rotatable frame member within said frame and equipped with prongs adapted to close the gaps in said rings, said frame being provided with bracing ears extending between said rings, said ears being turned downwardly to engage the flanges of said clip.

, 2. A ring binder for perforated sheets consisting of two elements, one of the said elements comprising an integral frame equipped with fixed rings each having a gap therein, and the other of said elements comprising a rotatable bridge member extending thelength of said frame and equipped with prongs supported in alignment with said rings.

k3. A ring binder for perforated sheets comprising an integral frame having a plurality of fixed `rings supported at spaced intervals, said rings having .gaps therein, and an inner member consisting of spaced prongs and a bridge member connecting the same, said prongs being aligned with said ringr members and serving to close said gaps when said bridge member is rotated within said frame.

' 4. A ring binder for perforated sheets consisting of two elements formed from metal blanks, one of said elements comprising an outer frame having a plurality vof fixed circular rings supl portedat spaced intervals, the rings each having a hgap therein, and the other of said elements comprising an inner bridge member equipped with spaced prongs, the entire inner member being rotatable within said outer member, and said ,y

prongs being, aligned with said rings to close the gaps therein when said inner member is rotated.

5. A ring binder for perforated sheets cornprising a frame equipped with fixed rings having a, gap therein, and a rotatable frame member supported within said rings and having a straight wall along one side and prongs extending from the other side, said prongs. being supported in alignment with said rings, and inwardly turned bracing ears formedbetween said prongs.

HENRY T. ADAMS. 

